HUNSLET coach Kyle Trout says he and director of rugby Keith Senior will continue searching for the right kind of signings for the club after losing another two members of his squad.
Former Leeds and Bradford hooker Mason Corbett, 20, and Emmerson Whittel, the 31-year-old backrower signed from Rochdale on a two-year contract ahead of this season, have both announced they are stepping away from semi-professional Rugby League.
They follow the path taken by outside backs Matty Dawson-Jones and Coby Nichol and hooker Bailey Aldridge since the start of the campaign.
Trout is also without influential backrow Kevin Larroyer (ruptured bicep tendon) and prop Keelan Foster (chest) due to injury, and admits a lack of numbers has impacted training as well as team selection.
It’s an issue he’s keen to address, but pointed out: “We’re looking to strengthen, and have been all along this year although we don’t always talk about it, but it’s not easy at this stage of the season.
“We have had to look at loans, and while we have brought in some, things have happened with deals that have been pencilled in due to injuries at their parent clubs.
“But we have the end of the French season approaching, which makes some good players available, and we are looking into avenues there.
“The lack of numbers has had an impact, and it does lessen what you can do at training, but we need to get on with it, and any players who do come in have to be right in terms of their attitude and approach and the balance of the squad.”
On Corbett and Whittel, he said: “It’s disappointing. We valued both of them highly and they are a big loss to us.
“Each have their reasons, and those things are personal to them, which we accept. We are content with how we tried to help them, and we wish them all the best.”